Band mini rant

[Pat C.]

Video #1: This Masquerade http://www.vimeo.com/16415221
@2:05 What the heck was that?
@4:02 Huh? I'm scratchin' my head on that one!

Those fills are unnecessary and inappropriate, not adding anything to the song at those points. But, although he's throwing a triplet feel in there, he's not actually out of time or missing a beat.

BTW, I was LMAO at 2:22. I assume there was a keg right under the camera's location?

Video #2: Moondance http://www.vimeo.com/16518207
This is the one where he totally forgot how the groove is played.
@00:10 He gets it! Yay!
@1:23 What the heck was that?
@2:14 What the heck was that?
@2:20 Huh?

Those fills, to my ear, are in time. They are stylistically incorrect. The whole drum groove, though, feels too "rock-like" to me, it needs to swing more. The (snare) backbeat is way to heavy.

Video #3: The Way You Look Tonight http://www.vimeo.com/16518155
@00:30 Singer looks at drummer wondering why he's using snare and not crossstick!

Again, too heavy a backbeat. As a bass player that would drive me crazy, but I doubt that any audience would ever notice. Even if he were playing cross-stick, I would hope he wouldn't smack the 2 and 4 every measure. JMO.

This is just a few examples. There are a lot more. Especially the 'missing beat' thing. Just about on every song! We'll be grooving along and all of a sudden, he'll skip a kick or a snare and we all kinda turn around but I don't think he realizes what he did!

This also would drive me crazy, but I didn't hear this at all on these tunes. Most of the drummers that I've worked with have missed beats or (more often) shifted the downbeat at the end of a fill. I find this unacceptable, but other than addressing the issue with them and them being willing to fix it (or firing them) there isn't much that can be done. It's one thing to play a phrase over the bar, it's another to move beat one by playing a cut measure or extending a measure. In a dance/groove based band like yours it's especially heinous.

Good luck.

 

[DWBass]

Thanks for your insight. Yeah, on those tunes where he's smashing on the snare, I now have to play louder than I had intended to. And this is after the client asked us to keep it down! I'll try to locate a vid or recording where he misses beats. It wasn't evident in the examples I posted but he does it quite a lot. Some tunes were so bad, I had to scrap the videos of them. Even the booking agent mentioned something about him (she would know as she is a musician herself). We'll see how long he lasts (after enough complaining) or if he'll change to a more simple drumming style which is what we need. Just a simple driving backbeat.

 

[Mayers]

1000 to 3000 to play that kind of stuff ... man ... why complain ??? It is so simple ... it is some ridiculously easy money !!!

 

[Bassdirty]

You ever been part of a band that's actually doing moderately well gig and money wise but the musicians just suck??

Yup.
Well...not all the musicians...but as a whole...I just can't take it anymore..and we keep gettin gigs...at decent places.
Man, when I hear the recordings.. and I don't know why nobody else [In the band] can see it.
(Moneys not quite as good as yours..but close.)

I just don't have the heart (or balls) to quit....again.

Yes , I quit yrs ago.(I played all the booked gigs though.)
Then they took me back (It started as a part time thing ...was just sposda be a couple gigs..then ..I don't know...here we are.)

.

 

[DWBass]

1000 to 3000 to play that kind of stuff ... man ... why complain ??? It is so simple ... it is some ridiculously easy money !!!

Well, we do play a WIDE variety of stuff. That is sort of our opening (chill out) set! It's not just his drumming. His attitude sucks and he does not take 'constructive' criticism well at all! You'd think he wouldn't want to screw up his money! He's close to being out of a job!

 

[P-oddz]

You ever been part of a band that's actually doing moderately well gig and money wise but the musicians just suck?? I'm only in this thing for the money as I'm not having much (if any) fun! Am I basically just a perfectionist?? The keyboardist has timing issues and always needs a count! The drummer is extremely busy (to the point of annoyance) and occasionally misses a beat. Last night he actually forgot the groove to Moondance! Really?!?! He also plays these crazy drum rolls and quite often misses the '1' when coming back in. I just can't lock in with him and I don't think he even cares! He doesn't act like a professional with all his verbal complaints throughout the evening! Ugh! The guitarist is new (only been 2 weeks) so the jury is still out on him. Even still, drummer complained about him and picked on him all night at last nights gig! Despite all this, we continue to get booked (by an agent) for some decent money ($1000-$3000) gigs and the clients seems to love us (they probably are oblivious to all the gaffs and BS throughout the evening)!!



I just can't give up the money! Ok, mini rant over!

UGGH!

This makes me want to cry! HAHA!

To think that my band and I spend hours upon hours drilling songs, making sure that we are playing to the best of our ability (we play originals) and everything is where it needs to be and we are as tight as possible, and our highest grossing night was like $200 and free beer.

 

[agreatheight]

DWBass, you are absolutely right. I listened to the videos and you guys are doing a lovely job, except for the drummer. He is too loud, too busy, makes poor choices in fills, isn't grooving much. If you are in a position of power, dump him. I'd think with the coin you are pulling you could find better.

 

[DWBass]

DWBass, you are absolutely right. I listened to the videos and you guys are doing a lovely job, except for the drummer. He is too loud, too busy, makes poor choices in fills, isn't grooving much. If you are in a position of power, dump him. I'd think with the coin you are pulling you could find better.

I'm not the band leader but he does consult with me on most things band related. We have had some intense conversations about this. He's planning to have a sit down with the guy real soon fully expecting the guy to blow up but he's preparing himself. Either he gets with the program or he's out.

 

[Freddels]

From the vids, it's obvious that the drummer doesn't get it. I'd do my best to replace him asap. Couldn't really tell about the keyboardist from the vids as it's not as blatant as the drummer. The leader should have these vids cued up so that he can show the drummer exactly what he's doing wrong otherwise, he'll just deny it.

The leader may want to get a consensus with the other major players in the band b/c he/she doesn't want the drummer to start pulling in other loyalists to his side. He needs an intervention!!!

 

[DWBass]

From the vids, it's obvious that the drummer doesn't get it. I'd do my best to replace him asap. Couldn't really tell about the keyboardist from the vids as it's not as blatant as the drummer. The leader should have these vids cued up so that he can show the drummer exactly what he's doing wrong otherwise, he'll just deny it.

The leader may want to get a consensus with the other major players in the band b/c he/she doesn't want the drummer to start pulling in other loyalists to his side. He needs an intervention!!!

Oh, it's already unanimous that everyone is annoyed with the drummer.

Keyboardist isn't as bad and can also take constructive criticism very well. He knows he has limitations and is willing to do what he can to get better.

 

[Freddels]

Then I'd suggest finding another drummer and have him/her ready, then dump the drummer that you have. His attitude and cluelessness won't improve.

 

[nutdog]

Video #1: This Masquerade http://www.vimeo.com/16415221
@2:05 What the heck was that?
@4:02 Huh? I'm scratchin' my head on that one!

My diagnosis is rhythmic tourrette syndrome.

Good luck with this one. My only suggestion would be for the bandleader to have a conversation with this guy before it gets out of hand. Negative feelings and talk get out of hand when sometimes things can be fixed if they're addressed properly.

I like the idea of showing him exactly what's wrong in the video. But from what you say it probably won't do much good. And if it's a talent problem then talking can't fix it. No substitute for a real drummer.

 

[Pat C.]

Thanks for your insight. Yeah, on those tunes where he's smashing on the snare, I now have to play louder than I had intended to. And this is after the client asked us to keep it down!

This is another strike against the drummer. If the client has already mentioned a volume issue and the drummer is ignoring that, well...

I'll try to locate a vid or recording where he misses beats. It wasn't evident in the examples I posted but he does it quite a lot. Some tunes were so bad, I had to scrap the videos of them.

Clips of these videos should be part of the conversation the bandleader has with the drummer. Video evidence can be very eye opening. He will have several options when confronted with the videos:

• he will see his mistakes, but deny (or continue to deny) there is an issue. This would seem to make him a liar, or a pretty insecure individual whom can't admit mistakes.
• he will see his mistakes, and admit that they need to be fixed.
• he will not be able to hear those mistakes, in which case he's probably a pretty poor musician.

In any of those cases, he could be either given an ultimatum (and a chanced to improve himself dramatically) and or just fired outright. If the bandleader isn't willing to give him a chance to improve himself he should just fire him outright, using the videos as evidence, and save himself the effort and stress of trying to "fix" the drummer's playing. It all depends on what the bandleader is willing to put into it. Since this drummer seems like he has an attitude problem already, it may not be worth any effort at all to keep him, as long as there is a replacement drummer at the ready.

Even the booking agent mentioned something about him (she would know as she is a musician herself).

This is not good. I would fix this ASAP, then. You don't want the person putting together these high-dollar gigs second guessing herself when it comes time for her to recommend a band to a potential client. If I were a booking agent and had several bands I could recommend to a client, I would NOT recommend the band with a drummer who misses beats.